Federal High Court Sentence Book Pirate to Two years Imprisonment

Featured

The Federal High Court, Lagos has sentenced Mr. Anthony Okojie to two years imprisonment on a one count charge of unauthorised sale of 376 copies of bibles and motivational books in which Copyright subsist to the Bible Society of Nigeria.

The Judge, Justice Musa Haruna Kurya, on the January 29, 2018 pronounced the accused person guilty, following the Charge No. FHC/l/429C/2013 instituted against the accused by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

Sequel to earlier petition to the Commission by the Bible Society of Nigeria on the then allegation, that their books are being pirated by the accused, the Commission carried out an antipiracy operation on June 21, 2013. Some pirated copies of books were impounded at accused shop at Ojolowu Shopping Complex, Abeokuta express way Sango Ota Ogun State.

The accused was arraigned on November 26, 2013 at the Federal High Court, Lagos State.

During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses and tendered several exhibits to establish its case. The accused however did not put in any defense or call any witness instead he filed a submission of no case to answer which the Judge eventually over ruled.

After several proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge on February 2014.

The Judge noted that the two years imprisonment which is without an option of fine is to is to commence on the day of the arrest.

Mary A. Adegbile

For: DG, NCC

Leave your comment

Make sure you enter the (*) required information where indicated. HTML code is not allowed.